PHOTOS: Sharapova wins her second French Open title

PHOTOS: Sharapova wins her second French Open title

Maria Sharapova won her second French Open title in three years at Roland Garros, defeating Romania's Simona Halep 6-4, 6-7 (5/7), 6-4 in a gripping final, the first to go the full distance in Paris in 13 years and the second longest on record.

It was the 27-year-old Russian's fifth Grand Slam title, bringing her level with Martina Hingis on the all-time list and it came 10 years after she won her first major at Wimbledon 2004.

Sharapova, who completed a career sweep of all four Grand Slam titles in Paris in 2012 before losing to Serena Williams last year, also moved to number two on the all-time prize money earnings, with only the American ahead of her.

Image: Maria Sharapova of Russia poses with the trophy during the ceremony after defeating Simona Halep of Romania Photographs: Stephane Mahe/Reuters

Toughest Grand Slam final

But it took all her legendary grit and resolve to recover from the loss of the second set on a tie-break after she had stood just two points away from the title at 5/3.

"It's the toughest Grand Slam final I have ever played," said Sharapova.

"I can't believe that at 27 I have won the French Open more times than any other Grand Slam."

The consolation for Halep, whose meteoric rise to the top bracket in women's tennis over the last 18 months has projected her as a potential champion, was that she will climb to a career-high third in the world rankings.

The two finalists reached the championship match in starkly contrasting styles.

Fourth-seeded Halep did not drop a single set in her six matches, while seventh-seed Sharapova needed to battle back from first set losses in her three previous outings.

Image: Maria Sharapova of Russia reacts after winning her women's singles final match against Simona Halep of RomaniaPhotographs: Stephane Mahe/Reuters

It was yet another shaky start from Sharapova as the final got underway on a sun-splashed and sultry centre court.

She dropped serve in the first game and was soon 2-0 down, but the Russian promptly found her range and she was back level after a thrilling fourth game that saw several deuces and some big hitting from both ends.

In what was developing into a final of the highest quality, the first five games all went to deuce, but it was Sharapova who was gradually gaining the ascendancy.